Fretboard Explorer
See where the notes of a scale sit on the fretboard in the tuning you play. Pick a root and a scale, switch between note names, intervals and scale degrees, and click a position to hear the note.
How to use it
- Choose a tuning, a root and a scale. The board shows only the notes of the scale.
- Switch between Notes, Intervals and Scale degrees to see what each position means in the scale.
- Click or tap a position to hear the note. With a keyboard, move with the arrow keys and play with Enter.
- Change the number of frets or turn on left-handed if it suits your guitar. Your choices are saved for next time.
How do I find the notes on the fretboard?
Each fret raises the pitch by a semitone. Two facts take you far: the strings are tuned in fourths (except between G and B, which is a third), and the twelfth fret is the same note as the open string, one octave higher.
- Learn the notes on the E string and the A string first. They give you the root for most riffs.
- The markers at frets 3, 5, 7, 9 and 12 help you find the right fret.
- If you change tuning, for example to Drop C, the notes move. Choose the tuning at the top and the board shows the right notes.
Notes, intervals or scale degrees: which view should I choose?
Note names show what the note is called, intervals show the distance to the root and scale degrees show which step of the scale the note is. To learn the fretboard choose note names. To understand how a scale pattern is built choose scale degrees.
Find the same note in two places: octave shapes
An octave shape is a fixed distance between two strings where both strings give the same note name, one octave apart. The shape lets you find every note in two places without learning the whole board.
- From the sixth string: go two strings up and two frets higher (E string fret 3 is G, D string fret 5 is G).
- From the fifth string: go two strings up and two frets higher.
- From the fourth and third strings: go two strings up and three frets higher, because the strings are tuned a third apart between G and B.
Frequently asked questions
Which scales are in Fretboard Explorer?
Ten scales: major, natural minor, harmonic minor, melodic minor, pentatonic minor and major, Dorian, Phrygian, Phrygian dominant and Mixolydian. Scales and positions are also shown in Scale Explorer, which plays them as well.
Can I choose a tuning, for example Drop C?
Yes. All metal tunings are available, and the board shows the right notes for the tuning you picked.
How many frets can the board show?
From 12 to 24 frets. Pick the number that matches your guitar.
Can I use it left-handed or with a keyboard?
Yes. Turn on left-handed mode, move with the arrow keys and play with Enter.
Related tools
- Scale Explorer: Scales with notes, positions, tab and sound.
- Interval Explorer: See and hear every interval from unison to octave on guitar.
- Twin Guitar Harmonizer: Write a melody and get a second guitar part in thirds, sixths, octaves or contrary motion.
- Harmony Explorer: Click a note and see which harmonies fit the key.
- Metronome: Click or drums with a bouncing ball, step sequencer, spectrum, fullscreen and tap tempo.
- Tab player: Open a Guitar Pro file, see tab and notation and play along at your own tempo.